We head north to Hexham for Wednesday's first bet, which comes in the handicap chase over two miles and seven furlongs (13:50). It's a race in which few boast positive profiles on first viewing, and it's worth taking a chance on Knockgraffon King on his first start for Donald McCain. He was a winner in bumpers and hurdles for Noel Meade, but rather lost his way for that yard in the spring. The expectation is that the Cholmondeley operation has freshened him up and can bring about a much improved performance from when he was seen at Punchestown. The veteran The Thirsty Bricky ran well last time and merits respect, as does course winner Mister Philson who has blinkers fitted and McCoy in the saddle.
We head to Leicester next where it's another handicap chase over the same trip (14:10) under consideration. Balbriggan certainly merits respect after he put his reliable jumping to good use when scoring over C&D last time out. However for today's purposes it might be better to side with Little Chip, who is 8 lb better off with the aforementioned from when they last met at Market Rasen and he has done his winning this year at two-and-three-quarter miles. Although he has made the frame in both his starts since when upped in trip, today's distance is much more suitable. His upwardly-mobile trainer is likely to have him in fine fettle and with the in-form Noel Fehily in the saddle, it would be no surprise to see him return to winning ways.
We return to Hexham for the final bet of the day in the two-mile handicap hurdle (14:50) in which Bernardelli looks to have an excellent opportunity to make his mark now contesting handicaps. He was runner-up at Carlisle before going one better at Huntingdon three weeks later, and a 6 lb rise for that performance seems fair. He looks the type to go on progressing too, with today looking an excellent opportunity to continue on his upward trajectory. Golden Firth catches the eye as Tony Martin does not have many Hexham runners, and with AP McCoy booked and an unexposed profile he looks the main danger.
Timeform UK SmartPlays
Back Knockgraffon King @ 9.08/1 in the 13:40 at Hexham
Back Little Chip @ 3.55/2 in the 14:10 at Leicester
Back Bernardelli @ 4.77/2 in the 14:50 at Hexham
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